The threatened Jaguar is the only living big cat of the American continent. The Jaguar is a roaring cat sometimes confused with the leopard, both having spots in rosettes, but those of the Jaguar have a black spot at the centre. A Jaguar has golden or brownish yellow fur and many spots. The spots along its back and sides are light-coloured with dark borders. The spots on its head, legs and underside are black. Black Jaguars live in South America.

They live in forests, shrubby areas, and grasslands - wherever they can hide. They hunt mainly on the ground and at night, and eat almost any kind of animal or fish. The powerful Jaguar has remarkable strength, a good climber and an accomplished swimmer. They measure up to 2.6m long, including their 75cm tail. They weigh up to 136 kilograms. Individuals are solitary, only coming together during the mating season. After a pregnancy of approximately 100 days, the female gives birth to two, three or four fully furred and blind young. The cubs hunt with their mother the first two years, reach sexual maturity at three and full adult size at four.

The Jaguar symbolised strength and courage to the ancient Maya Indians, who considered the animal a god. The Jaguars once ranged from the southern states of the USA south over almost the entire South American continent, but are now extinct in almost all areas close to human settlements. It lives only in Mexico and Central and South America. Jaguars, the largest neotropical cats with the most prized fur, have been ruthlessly hunted. It faces serious danger from fur hunters and environmental changes. The USA now prohibits the import and export of Jaguars or their pelts.

The 'Big Cat Collection' wildlife design painted by Jean Sindelar portrays the shy and solitary Jaguar of the Amazon jungle amidst tropical orchids, butterflies and leaf eating ants by Ro London. th

Big Cat Collection